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"GO THE GREYHOUND WAY" (by Robert Gabrick)

 
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:49 pm    Post subject: "GO THE GREYHOUND WAY" (by Robert Gabrick) Reply with quote

Another eBay purchase also arrived today; this is "GOING THE GREYHOUND WAY", by Robert Gabrick.

Though I've only had time to flip through the pages, I can wholeheartdly recommend this fine book to any and all "HOUND" enthusiasts/historians.

There is a good deal here that I had no idea of, such as postwar proposals for SILVERSIDES front-end "face-lifts", as well as the YELLOW Model 745, equipped with sleeping berths for overnight service.

This unique bus was very similiar to a 743, except that it had a higher roof profile, to accomodate the berths, as well as different side windows.

Another (proposed) bus I was not aware of until now was the "X-1" of 1935, which (IMHO) was a 743 with a front end somewhat reminiscent of an AEROCOACH.

There is also a photo of a model bus captioned as " General Motors Design Study"(1936)

Here, the front of the bus has even more of an AEROCOACH look.

I only have a few gripes about this otherwise outstanding book; one is that, while there are many photos of GREYHOUND's tour buses at the '39 Fair, there are no photos of the Fishbowls at the '64 Fair, represented only by the Jetson-esque "ESCORTERS".

Also, there are no photos showing any classic GREYHOUND toys; and, lastly, oddly enough, there is no photo of a SCENICRUISER gracing the front cover; this I do find a bit strange, especially that the bus was the most iconic and most identifiable bus ever to be associated with the company.

Aside from these few "gripes", the book is well-written, lavishly illustrated, and well worth whatever price you pay (I purchased mine off of eBay for $15.99)

Happy Trails and Happy Reading! Wink

"NYO"
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've got a copy in my 'Greyhound Library', too.....
Very enjoyable, and some material not covered in other books on GL.... Smile
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
I've got a copy in my 'Greyhound Library', too.....
Very enjoyable, and some material not covered in other books on GL.... Smile


traildriver:

Totally agreed, my friend! Very Happy

Thus far, I am truly ENJOYING the book (especially the photos!)

I DID raise an eyebrow, though, of the photo on the page 147 (figure 220), showing a new 4106.

The caption reads: "First Diesel-powered Greyhound, 1960"

Hmmmmmm....seems to me that GREYHOUND's fleet was guzzling diesel fuel for quite awhile before this photo was taken........(!!)

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 5:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also of great interest in this book are the pages devoted to GREYHOUND's proposed helicopter services.......imagine a vintage "whirlybird" emblazoned with the famed "Running Dog".......a GREYHOUND-operated "helly-copter" would have been a true SCENIC-cruiser, indeed...(!!) Shocked

Imagine GREYHOUND 'copters rubbing shoulders with those of the old NEW YORK AIRWAYS, atop the PAN AM Building, back in the day.......

"NYO"
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
traildriver wrote:
I've got a copy in my 'Greyhound Library', too.....
Very enjoyable, and some material not covered in other books on GL.... Smile


traildriver:

Totally agreed, my friend! Very Happy

Thus far, I am truly ENJOYING the book (especially the photos!)

I DID raise an eyebrow, though, of the photo on the page 147 (figure 220), showing a new 4106.

The caption reads: "First Diesel-powered Greyhound, 1960"

Hmmmmmm....seems to me that GREYHOUND's fleet was guzzling diesel fuel for quite awhile before this photo was taken........(!!)

"NYO"


You're right...the Detroit Diesel 6-71 came out around 1940, I believe...
so the PD-3751's ("Silversides"), should have had them.
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
Also of great interest in this book are the pages devoted to GREYHOUND's proposed helicopter services.......imagine a vintage "whirlybird" emblazoned with the famed "Running Dog".......a GREYHOUND-operated "helly-copter" would have been a true SCENIC-cruiser, indeed...(!!) Shocked

Imagine GREYHOUND 'copters rubbing shoulders with those of the old NEW YORK AIRWAYS, atop the PAN AM Building, back in the day.......

"NYO"


I actually flew on a NY Airways Boeing Vertol 107 from JFK to the PanAm building one time around 1967 or 68...a great experience!

In Greyhound's case, had their service actually operated beyond the demo stage, the roof-top parking deck of the Port Authority Bus Terminal would have been a good heliport....
Smile
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver:

Yes, indeed.....just imagine "GREYHOUND "helly-copters" utilizing the roof of the PABT! Shocked

You briefly mentioned the iconic "SILVERSIDES"; though most of us (including myself) have long thought of it as being an "exclusive GREYHOUND vehicle, like the PD-4501 SCENICRUISER.

Imagine my surprise, some years back, when I discovered a photo showing a SILVERSIDES, operated by MISSOURI, KANSAS, and OKLAHAMA TRAILWAYS.

Even the photo caption makes mention of the SILVERSIDES being mostly thought of as a GREYHOUND bus (like the YELLOW 743)......I guess you live and learn! Wink

The SILVERSIDES, I've long felt, was more or less an "underdog" in the great GREYHOUND fleet (the same could be set for the 4103 and 4104); by this I mean is that, first and foremost, when most folks think of a "classic era" GREYHOUND coach, odds are overwhelming that they'll picture a SCENICRUISER.

Not surprisingly, though, no other American bus (not even TRAILWAY's elegant EAGLES) was ever duplicated more in toy or novelty form than the SCENICRUISER......gee....I wonder why....??
Rolling Eyes

"NYO"
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There were several other operator's of the "Silversides"....among them was Burlington Trailways, which competed with Overland Greyhound between Chicago and California via Omaha and Salt Lake City. The other Chicago/California operator via Kansas City and Albuquerque, was Santa Fe Trailways, which remained loyal to ACF-Brill, as did the majority of Trailways carrier's.
Burlington Trailways, which was a subsidiary of the CB&Q RR, touted their PD-3751's as "DieseLiner's"...the "Q" was a pioneer in the use of streamlined, GM diesel powered trains built by the Budd Company, so they emphasized the common use by their streamlined GM buses, as well....

Later on, Burlington Trailways was sold by the railroad to All-American Bus Lines, and consequently to Continental Trailways, and switched to ACF-Brill as their first line equipment.

In the late forties, GM produced the later PD-4151 version of the Silversides for Greyhound, and concurrently, the PD-4101, for other customers. Then Greyhound bought the common PD-4103, that was sold to all in the early fifties, before the PD-4104 Air Ride debuted....
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver:

Great SILVERSIDES trivia......... certainly makes for interesting reading.....TY! Wink

I have seen pictures that showed SILVERSIDES still being used in SF Bay area commute service in the late 1960's......what a gREAT way to travel to and from work (if you're a bus enthusiast!)

Growing up, the only SILVERSIDES I remember were those I'd see occasionaly operating for a charter outfit.

The very last I ever saw was back in the 1980's/early 1990's; there were two coaches (which, at least from a distance, appeared to be still driveable), set well back from NJ Route #4 (eastbound), near Ridgefield, in back of an old service station.

I like to think that these two historic buses made it into preservation, especially after surviving as long as they did.....

"NYO"
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fellows:

An excellent SILVERSIDES page.......

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/12/curbside-classic-1947-gm-pd-3751-silversides-greyhound-bus-the-first-modern-diesel-bus/

(courtesy: The Truth About Cars)

*This page is truly a feast for the "gears 'n' guts" guys amongst us.... Wink
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a great link, NYO...thanks so much for posting it!

One correction...they mentioned the auxiliary engine powering the air-conditioner as a small diesel....it was actually a small four-cylinder gasoline engine, located in the left-front baggage compartment. These were still present in the PD-4104 to the end of their production in 1960. The PD-4106 finally eliminated them with the new, more-powerful, DD 8v-71 prime mover.
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
That's a great link, NYO...thanks so much for posting it!

One correction...they mentioned the auxiliary engine powering the air-conditioner as a small diesel....it was actually a small four-cylinder gasoline engine, located in the left-front baggage compartment. These were still present in the PD-4104 to the end of their production in 1960. The PD-4106 finally eliminated them with the new, more-powerful, DD 8v-71 prime mover.


traildriver:

You are most welcome, my friend! Very Happy

The "nitty gritty" of the great GREYHOUND fleet through the decades is indeed an intriguing and fascinating subject, especially when one considers the variety of coach styles and the number of manufacturers used throughout the years.

YELLOW, MACK, GMC, MCI, EAGLE, PREVOST........SILVERSIDES, SCENICRUISERS, HIGHWAY TRAVELERS, AMERICRUISERS.......the study of the company's ever-changing fleet is truly a study on its own.

Recall the years when the EAGLE, once the gleaming flagship of CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS, made inroads into the Sacred Domain Of The Hound; this recalled an earlier era, when the EAGLES that operated for "SKG LINES" (SOUTHERN KANSAS GREYHOUND LINES) also carried the running dog on their flanks......(a subtle sign of things to come at some future time?) Rolling Eyes

A colorful, intriguing, and most captivating history, you may be sure....

"NYO"
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agreed...and their were some others...White's, Will's, Flxible's, and ACF-Brills. The ACF's were mostly identified with Trailways carrier's, but Southeastern Greyhound had a large fleet of them....

SKGL or simply 'KG Lines' at their twilight, was always a bus fan favorite, with its GL and Trailways logo's, owing to its joint ownership.
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
Agreed...and their were some others...White's, Will's, Flxible's, and ACF-Brills. The ACF's were mostly identified with Trailways carrier's, but Southeastern Greyhound had a large fleet of them....

SKGL or simply 'KG Lines' at their twilight, was always a bus fan favorite, with its GL and Trailways logo's, owing to its joint ownership.


I also have an old issue of MOTOR COACH AGE (somewhere!) that had an interesting description of GREYHOUND converting a few(?) front-engined YELLOWs into railbuses which replaced trains somewhere in southern Texas, if my memory is correct....this would have been in the early/mid 30's, I believe.

Indeed, GREYHOUND was a VERY diverse company, for certain! Very Happy

"NYO"
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TheDriver




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PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wished they had competition
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